home energy improvements

We are committed to making our homes warmer and more efficient by reducing carbon emissions and fuel bills.

Through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, we are working to upgrade homes that have a Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating below band C.

Measures will make homes warmer and more comfortable for our customers, could save them money on their energy bills, and will reduce our properties’ carbon footprint.

Customers will be contacted if they may be eligible for the upgrade, but you can read about some of the measures being installed right now below.

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Home Energy Improvements: The Impacts

The energy performance of 3,000 believe housing homes has now been upgraded, with support from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.

At this milestone, believe housing and delivery partner RE:GEN Group look at how this ongoing programme of works is:
- Making homes warmer and healthier for residents and tackling fuel poverty.
- Boosting communities and supporting jobs, skills, and the growth of the green economy.
- Reducing carbon emissions from housing to help the UK meet our climate goals.

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Types of energy improvements:

Insulation is used to fill the space between the external walls of your home. This means your home will stay warm for longer in the winter, and cool in the summer.

CWI installation process involves drilling small holes into the outer wall and injecting the insulation material into the empty space. It helps reduce the amount of energy needed to keep your home warm and should reduce your energy bills.

What you need to know:

  • CWI is installed from outside your home meaning there is very little disruption for you.
  • It helps by keeping the heat in for longer, which means your home stays warmer.
  • On occasions we may need to remove previous old or damaged CWI before installing new.
  • CWI can reduce the amount of energy you need which helps the planet.

Changing old or inefficient lightbulbs to LEL reduces the amount of electricity needed to light your home and can save you money on your energy bills. There are lots of different types, which means we can replace bulbs in almost any light fitting.

What you need to know:

  • LEL are now as bright as traditional bulbs, and you won’t be able to tell the difference.
  • There will be very little disruption and the work can normally be done in less than a day.
  • LEL can reduce the amount of energy you need which helps the planet.

An ASHP takes air from outside, warms it and transfers it to the radiators and hot water in your home. When installed with good insulation it helps reduce the amount of energy needed to keep your home warm.

What you need to know:

  • An ASHP keeps the temperature of your home steady.
  • A typical gas boiler needs replacing every 10 to 15 years. ASHPs can last for more than 20 years, meaning less disruption for you.
  • An ASHP can be cheaper to run than an old gas boiler, or other types of electric or oil heating, so should save you money.
  • An ASHP use less energy than traditional boilers, which helps the planet.

Ventilation brings fresh, dry, clean air into your home. This helps keep the air in your home healthy and reduces humidity. It is usually part of our home energy improvements and works along with insulation to keep your home warm.

Ventilating can include opening a window, using window vents, or we can do this mechanically. Ventilation is essential, especially in homes, as it can prevent condensation.

The level of ventilation your home will need is specific to you. It depends on the property size, the number of occupiers, and how you use your home.

What you need to know:

  • A ventilation survey will be done to understand the right ventilation for you and your home.
  • Mechanical ventilation doesn’t use much electricity so is cheap to run.
  • Humid air can cause condensation and ventilation will help this.
  • You may feel the air moving around your home after the work has been done, this means it’s working properly.

Smart Home Sensors help monitor the air in your home and let you know if it is too cold, or too humid.

It is helpful to monitor indoor temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in your home as making small changes might make you feel more comfortable.

The information collected by the sensors is used to provide helpful tips and helps prevent issues like condensation. This information is available to you through a dedicated easy to use customer app.

What you need to know:

  • Sensors can give you a better understanding of the health of your home.
  • The customer app will notify you if something is not quite right and provide helpful tips.
  • You do not need an internet connection.
  • The sensors don’t control your heating but may tell you if your home feels cold.
  • believe housing has joint access to the information to be able to provide further support whenever you may need it.

Solar panels generate electricity from sunlight. This electricity can be used to power your electrical appliances or heating meaning when the sun is out, you will use less electricity.

Panels are installed on your roof, and the electricity generated can be used straight away. The amount of electricity generated by solar PV depends on the number of panels and the amount of sunlight they receive.

What you need to know:

  • The panels on your roof will help reduce your electricity bills.
  • They are easy to install and most of the work is done outside.
  • Solar panels need annual maintenance and to do this we will install a walkway and some lighting in your loft.
  • We will need a clear loft and good access to connect to your electricity supply.
  • You will see the benefits on your bills straight away.
  • Solar panels can reduce the amount of energy you need which helps the planet.

Insulation is added to the inside of your home. This means your home will stay warm for longer in the winter, and cool in the summer.

IWI is usually made of thin insulating boards. The installation process involves fixing these panels to the inside of your walls, which are then plastered and painted. IWI helps reduce the amount of energy needed to keep your home warm and should reduce your energy bills.

What you need to know:

  • IWI is used when external wall insulation is not an option for your home.
  • Installing IWI can be very disruptive however we will support you through the process and help you move your things if you need us to.
  • IWI is only needed on walls which face the outside, so it won’t make your rooms feel smaller.
  • You should feel a difference very quickly after the work is complete.
  • IWI can reduce the amount of energy you need which helps the planet.

Insulation is added to the outside of your home. This means your home will stay warm for longer in the winter, and cool in the summer.

EWI is usually made of thick insulating boards. The installation process involves fixing these panels to the outer wall and finishing with a coloured coating called render. It helps reduce the amount of energy needed to keep your home warm and should reduce your energy bills.

What you need to know:

  • EWI is installed from outside your home but can take several weeks to complete all stages.
  • You should feel a difference very quickly after the work is complete.
  • It helps by keeping the heat in for longer, which means your home stays warmer.
  • EWI can reduce the amount of energy you need which helps the planet.

Insulation is added to your loft to stop heat from escaping through your roof. This means your home will stay warm for longer in the winter, and cool in the summer.

Loft insulation comes in large rolls and is usually rolled out like a thick carpet in the loft. LI helps reduce the amount of energy needed to keep your home warm and should reduce your energy bills.

What you need to know:

  • It is quick and easy to complete, usually done in less than a day.
  • There is very little disruption, but we do need a clear loft and good access.
  • Once complete you should try not to store anything on top of your new loft insulation as this may stop it working properly.
  • LI helps by keeping the heat in for longer, which means your home stays warmer.
  • LI can reduce the amount of energy you need which helps the planet.

Want to know more?

Our expert team are on hand to answer any questions and support you through your home energy improvement journey.

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